Asa and his family lived in East Swanzey, Cheshire Co., NH and by 1807 he had moved them to Mooers, Clinton Co., NY.
On page 329 of "History of Clinton and Franklin Counties" by Hurd in 1880 states,
" Asa Freeman came in early, resided in the northeast part of town (Mooers), and raised a large family, all of whom afterwards moved away." ( sic. Ahaz Freeman and his family was still there in late 1800's.) On page 332, "The town was originally comprised in a single school district, and the first school-house was the old building now used as a woodshed by the widow of Asa Corbin. Cariarty Huntley was an early teacher in this building, also Martha Bosworth ( afterwards Mrs. Samuel Churchill) ASA FREEMAN and Jabez Fitch."

The American government established a Military Land Grant in Northern New York, called the "Canadian-Nova Scotia Refugee Tract". This land was for the Canadian veterans of the Revolutionary War which were led by Moses Hazen. Much of the land was bought by land speculators from the veterans who did not want their land.
In 1805 this frontier was called an "ungodly place where religion and education were neglected." There was reported," poverty and primitive living conditions"
Mooers is located on the northern border of Clinton County, New York and Huntingdon County, Quebec, Canada. The surface of the area is quite level with a slight inclination to the northeast. There are two main rivers in Mooers, the Great Chazy and the English. The fine water privileges of these rivers provided various manufacturing enterprises in the early days of Mooers. Prior to 1796 this area was one vast wilderness.
In 1812, the area was overwhelmingly rural and the population was scarce, 8,000 people in the whole of Clinton County. There were 5 towns all but one bordering on Lake Champlain. Plattsburg was a bustling lake port town for travel between the American States and Quebec, Canada. When war broke out in 1812 between the Americans and Britain, many families left the area near the border and lost their crops and belongings. These American families were terrified of attack by the Canadian Indians. The stories of the " French Indian Wars" still very much on their minds. The American Militia was the only defense along the whole border and some Militia Officers said their men refused to fight across the border into Canada, due to having many friends and family living there.
The war lasted until 1814 when the British were defeated on Lake Champlain. By 1817 construction of the new Erie Canal began from the Hudson River to Buffalo. It was finished in 1825 and opened up the vast western territories filled with excellent land for settlers. It led to the development of such towns as Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse and Utica. The Canal provided cheap transportation for the westward bound settlers.
On page 329 of " History of Clinton and Franklin Counties" by Hurd in 1880 states:

" Asa Freeman came in early, resided in the northeast part of town and raised a large family, all of whom afterwards moved away."

On page 332 of the same book:

"The town was originally comprised in a single school district, and the first school-house was the old building now used as a woodshed by the Widow of Asa Corbin. Cariarty Huntley was a early teacher in this building, also Martha Bosworth ( afterwards Mrs. Samuel Churchill ) Asa Freeman and Jabez Fitch."

At the Plattsburg, New York, County Clerks office, there is land Deed:

"28 January 1807 Asa Freeman purchased from Benjamin Mooers 105 acres in lot #18 for $350.00. On 05 January 1823 Asa Freeman is clearing the title for this land from Gilead Speery."

Asa Freeman was listed on the 1810 and 1820 U.S. census for Mooers, Clinton County, New York. Asa and Thankful Freeman's oldest son, Ahaz was listed on the 1820 U.S. census for Mooers, as well.

On a land Deed dated 16.02.1833, Plattsburg County Clerks office:

" Asa Freeman and his wife Thankful sold land in lot #18, Mooers,, Clinton County, New York to Thomas Caldwell of Walworth, Wayne County, New York for $500.00 for 67 acres. Asa Freeman and Thankful were living in Williamson, Wayne County, New York."

On the 1830 U.S. census for Marion, Wayne County, New York was listed a Asa Freeman and his wife. The age of the couple match that of Asa and Thankful Freeman which were our line, in Mooers, Clinton County, New York. There were a number of Freeman families living in the area, including one Benjamin Freeman born in 1792 in New York, possibly Asa's second son.

On land Deeds, Plattsburg's County Clerks office:

Ahaz Freeman bought land in lot #39 in 1825 and later lot #92 in Mooers, Clinton County, New York , which his Heirs sold on 29 April 1853. Lot #92 was sold to William Pratt for $600.00 by Loren E. Freeman, Rufus Freeman, Amasa Freeman, Martha Freeman, Lauretta (Freeman) McConnell, Charles Freeman, (our line), Jerry Freeman, Elizabeth Freeman, Hannah Freeman, Phebe Freeman, and Dolly Philander (Freeman) Williams.

Ahaz Freeman died 01 October 1848, at 56 years, cause of death listed as being run over by a loaded wagon. He was buried in Old Riverside Cemetery, Mooers, Clinton County, New York and his gravestone is still standing there in 1997. It is located in the extreme southeast corner of the cemetery, under a large old tree, next to the Chazy River. Nearby to Ahaz Freeman's grave are the gravestone markers of his children Loren E., Martha, Benjamin, William, and Lauretta. There was an unmarked grave next to Ahaz and perhaps this is where his wife Louisa is buried.

____________________________________________________________________

"Letters of Probate" for Ahaz Freeman submitted by his wife Louisa on 30 May 1849 (located at County Clerks office, Plattsburg), which Louisa signed with her mark X.
On the Old Riverside Cemetery records, Mooers, Clinton County, New York:

"Ahaz Freeman who died 01 October 1848, 56 years, 11 months. His Widow, Louisa Freeman, purchased and had the stone mounted. The children headstones were of Benjamin H.Freeman , born 09 October 1842, died 14 November 1842, 1 month and 5 days and William W.Freeman, born 11 October 1847, died 21 August 1848."

On the 1850 Census for Mooers, Clinton Co., New York, Louisa Freeman (widow of Ahaz Freeman) was 50 years old, born in New York, listed with her, as her children, Rufus , 18 years old born, in New York, farmer; Elizabeth, 16 years old, born in New York; Hannah , 14 years old, born in New York; Sarah, 11 years old, born in New York.

____________________________________________________________________

The Children of Ahaz and Louisa Freeman:

1. Charles Madison,
our line, born about 1815 Mooers, Clinton Co., New York, died after 1871, married about 1833 Elizabeth Starr, the daughter of Thomas Starr and his wife Sarah. Elizabeth Starr was born about 1807 in Northern Ireland, she died 31 May 1880 Hemmingford, Huntingdon Co., Quebec and buried in Hemmingford Cemetery 02 June 1880 where her stone still stands today.

2. Jerry,
born between 1815-1820 Mooers, Clinton Co., New York and was still living in 1853.

3. Dolly Philander,
born between 1815-1820 Mooers, Clinton Co., New York, married before 1853, ? Williams , still living in 1853.

4. Loren E.,
born about 1821 Mooers, Clinton Co., New York, died 04.12.1891 (70 yrs) buried Old Riverside Cemetery, Mooers, married before 1847 Rachel I. Dudley . Rachel was born ?.11.1828 in New York, died 26.07.1898 (69 yr. 8 moths) Mooers and buried next to Loren. On the Mooers Military Duty list for Volunteers, 1863, in the 118 Reg., during the American Civil War, Loren was listed as 40 years old and working as a Blacksmith. His name is on the 1869 map of Moores Forks, Clinton Co., New York. On the 1850 Census for Mooers, Clinton Co., New York, Loren was 27 years old, blacksmith, born in New York, married to Rachel Freeman, 21 years old, born in New York and their children , Daul, 2 years old, born in New York and Phebe, 4 months old, born in New York. Loren and Rachel had 3 children:1. Oscar Daul, b.27.10.1848 New York, d.17.09.1937 and buried in Moores Forks Union Cemetery, married about 1867, Eliza Fifield, who was born 01.06.1849 and died 16.11.1920, buried Mooers Forks Union Cemetery. Oscar lived north 2 ½ miles of Mooers Forks, Clinton Co., New York and on May 1877 his house and barn burned as a vast forest fire burn through the area, (History of Clinton County by Hurd ). Oscar and Eliza had a son :1. Elbridge, married Adell ?, they had a son: 1. Harold, who died 30.07.1898 4mths old b.03.189 2. Phebe, b. about 1850 New York. 3. Edwin B . b.20.08.1851, d.30.06.1852, 10 mths/10 days.

5. Lauretta,
born between 1820-1825 Mooers, Clinton Co., New York, married before 1837, Daniel McConnell, who was born between 1800-1805 in Ireland, was listed on the 1850 census for Mooers, as 45 years old, a Cabinet Maker. Lauretta and Daniel are buried in Old Riverside Cemetery, Mooers where there is a stone, placed by Lauretta and Daniel's children. Lauretta and Daniel lived in Quebec and moved to Mooers, Clinton Co., New York, between 1847-1848. On the 1869 Map of Mooers, Daniel McConnell was living on lot #39, land owned by Ahaz Freeman. On 27.09.1843, Lauretta was a witness to the baptism of her brother, Charles Freeman's daughter, Sarah Ann , in Hemmingford, Huntingdon Co., Quebec. Lauretta and Daniel McConnel had 6 children: 1. Mary Ann, b. about 1837 in Quebec, Canada, d.1923 and buried Old Riverside Cemetery, Mooers. 2. Rosalie E., b. about 1840 Quebec, Canada, d. 1917 and buried Maple Hill Cemetery, Rouses 3. Phebe, b. about 1842 Quebec, Canada. 4. Matilda, b. about 1844 Quebec, Canada. 5. Wilbur, b. about 1847 Quebec, Canada and was a boatman on 1880 census for Mooers. 6. Margaret, b. about 1848 in New York.

6. Amasa,
b. about 1825 Mooers, Clinton Co., New York. Listed on the 1850 census for Mooers, 25 years old, farmer, living with Allen and Harriet Vaughn and family, and his sister Martha Freeman 18 years old helper of Allen and Harriet Vaughn.

7. Phebe,
born between 1825-1830 Mooers, Clinton Co., New York. Still living in 1853.

8. Rufus,
b. about 1831 Mooers, Clinton Co., New York, d.20.02.1916 and buried in Walker Cemetery, Mooers Forks, Clinton Co., married after 1850, Betsey E. Magson who died 18.01.1920 at 91 years old and is buried with Rufus in Walker Cemetery. Rufus was listed for Military Duty as a Volunteer of 118 Reg. Mooers in 1`863 as a farmer, 32 years old, in the American Civil War. Rufus and Betsey had a son: 1. Lester, b. about 1861, d. about 1934 and is buried in Walker Cemetery, Mooers Forks. On his grave stone as well, "My aunt, Mary Magison/Wilcott , 1840-1930".

9. Martha,
b. about 1832 Mooers, living with her brother Amasa with the family of Allen and Harriet Vaughn on 1850 Census for Mooers. Martha is listed as 18 years old and a helper with the family.

10. Elizabeth,
b. about 1834 Mooers, Clinton Co., New York. Still living in 1853.

11. Hannah,
b. about 1836 Mooers, Clinton Co., New York. Still living in 1853.

12. Sarah,
b. about 1839 Mooers, Clinton Co., New York. Not mentioned on sale of land of Ahaz Freeman, her father, with the other children in 1853.

Notes for CHARLES MADISON FREEMAN :
Charles was listed on the baptism of his children as a farmer and on the 1850, 1860, 1870 census as a labourer. I haven't found a death certificate for him. The family was originally E.Anglican but between 1857-1861 they joined the Wes.Methodist Church in Hemmingford. All church records for the family, are at the Archives in Montreal, Quebec.
____________________________________________________________________

Making Canadian Roots

Hemmingford, Huntingdon County, Quebec is a small eastern township village. Originally settled by American Loyalists after the American Revolution in 1792. In time, a number of non-Loyalist Americans settled into the Roxham and Hemmingford area, in search for better land. Apple growing became one of the main crops in the area, which continues up until today. Our line by Charles Madison Freeman was a non-Loyalist in seach for a better living conditions, nearby his father's land just 2 miles away, across the American/Canadian border.

Charles Madison and Elizabeth Freeman:

Charles Madison Freeman was born about 1815 in Mooers, Clinton County, New York, U.S.A..

On the 1850 census for Hemmingford, Huntingdon County, Quebec, Charles was listed of Irish origins (sic.), living on lot #1, Con. #1, living in a 1 story log cabin on 1 acre of land. The family were E. Anglican.

During the 1830's, Hemmingford area Anglicans were given services by Rev. William Dawes, a travelling minister, who conducted services in homes of the settlers. This minister's records are at the Archives in Montreal, Quebec.

Sometime between 1857 and 1861, Charles and his family left the Anglican church and joined the Wesley Methodist Church of Hemmingford. This church was built in 1834 on the site of the present day St. Andrew United Church, of Hemmingford. Methodism was a faith of converstion and perhaps this applies to Charles and his family.

During the period of 1834 to 1871 Charles Freeman's occupation was listed on the baptisms of his children as a farmer. On the 1851, 1861, 1871 census, he was listed as a labourer.

From the Methodist Church Records, Hemmingford, Quebec :

" Elizabeth (Eliza Starr) Freeman, wife of Charles Madison Freeman , of Hemmingford, Quebec, a native of Ireland, died at hemmingford on 31 May 1880, 73 years old, and was interned on 02 June 1880 in the County of Hemmingford, Quebec by S.J.Huges. The witnesses were Asa Freeman and Mrs Brown." .

Elizabeth (Starr) Freeman's gravestone is still standing today, surounded by a number of unmarked graves. I haven't found a death of Charles Madison Freeman .

Charles and Elizabeth had 10 children, all born in Hemmingford, Huntingdon Co., Quebec:

Notes for LAURETTA FREEMAN:
Lauretta was a sponsor for Sarah Ann Freeman , daughter of Charles Freeman , in Hemmingford, Huntingdon County, Quebec, on 1843.

Notes for DANIEL MCCONNELL:
Daniel McConell was listed on the 1850 census for Mooers as a Cabinetmaker. On the 1867 map of Mooers, the family was living on lot #39 Mooers, previouly owned by Lauretta's father, Ahaz Freeman.

Notes for RUFUS FREEMAN:
Living with his mother on 1850 census for Mooers, listed as a farmer.

Child of RUFUS FREEMAN and BETSEY MAGSON is:

i.

LESTER9 FREEMAN, b. Abt. 1861.

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